[lilfordbmx]

ok, so a few days ago i recieved my new powerbook off ebay. (15-inch 1.67ghz processor.)

the auctions said the computer had osx tiger 10.4.

i open up the laptop and start it to find that this is indeed true.

however, they sent me restore discs which have panther on them.

Also, i don't know the password to the old users account, nor does the person i bought it off of.

and without the password as many of you know, i can't do anything.

so, my main question is.. is there any way for me to create a new account and be able to delete his account or anyway to get the password.

[eevyl]

You pretty much need the Mac OS X 10.4 install DVD for that.

[OreoCookie]

Alternatively you install 10.3 which is still a good primary OS. If I were you, I would double-check the description on ebay. If the sellers has claimed he will include 10.4, then he has to either send you original DVDs or give you a rebate.

However, if the wording was something like 10.4 installed, 10.3 restore discs, then you are screwed.

Oh, and moving …

[Rumor]

If the seller doesn't know the password, does it occur to you that it might be stolen goods?

[lilfordbmx]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1
Have a look at the auction yourselves... gives a description of osx 10.4 and then at the bottom says that osx 10 dvd icluded.

not 10.3 or 10.4.. just 10.

what can i do?

i messaged him asking for the password and he stated that they leave the laptops how they bought them for the "expensive software" which is a few stupid apps i've never really heard of. but he said he'll check the auction and since, he has not gotten back to two of my messages one of which saying i may want a refund.

[Chuckit]

It would be surprising if he stole it with the box and software restore discs. Sounds more like somebody in the family didn't want it and he offered to sell it when they were going to throw it away or something like that.

[ael719]

Originally Posted by Rumor

If the seller doesn't know the password, does it occur to you that it might be stolen goods?

He probably discovered that after he bought it. Approximately around the time after emailing the seller and asking what the password are, which was just before the mail man dropped it off at his door.

[lilfordbmx]

Originally Posted by Rumor

If the seller doesn't know the password, does it occur to you that it might be stolen goods?

..right

i don't think it's anything like that.

the seller has a feedback of 97 and sells primarily computers and computer accessories.

my thoughts are that he just bought the coputer from someone else, and they didn't give them the password.

[Chuckit]

Then he needs to get that password for you. And Tiger. He didn't say "currently unusable computer with 10.3." He probably meant well, but what a scam.

[lilfordbmx]

Originally Posted by Chuckit

Then he needs to get that password for you. And Tiger. He didn't say "currently unusable computer with 10.3."

ok, but if he doesn't.. ?

[TETENAL]

Tiger is part of the of the deal as it is clearly in the product description, so he would have to deliver you the Tiger-CDs or give you a – let's say $100 – rebate.

If he is not willing to do either I would go to the police since he is defrauding you as well as commercially pirating software. Don't tell him you'll go to the police beforehand though, since that might constitute extortion.

[itai195]

Personally, I say you return it and then report him for selling unlicensed software, but that's just me

Did he provide any original install disks for all the original software he 'left on the computer?' If you've ever sold a Mac on eBay, people like this are really irritating to those of us who try to do things legally.

[lilfordbmx]

he did not include install discs for any of the software on the computer such as microsft office.

only discs i got were panther install 1-3 and max osx xcode tools.

all of which were burnt copies.

[placebo1969]

Can't you boot from the Panther disk and use the Installer to reset the password? I've had to do that with my sister's computer when she forgot it.

[lilfordbmx]

Originally Posted by itai195

Personally, I say you return it and then report him for selling unlicensed software, but that's just me

Did he provide any original install disks for all the original software he 'left on the computer?' If you've ever sold a Mac on eBay, people like this are really irritating to those of us who try to do things legally.

and i would like to.

Yet another mess up on his part in the auction is about the ram.

he clearly states that the 1gb stick only takes up 1 slot of the two dims.

when i checked system profiler it says that there is a 512mb stick in both dims.. lame (especially since i want to upgrade to 2gb ram.

[lilfordbmx]

Originally Posted by placebo1969

Can't you boot from the Panther disk and use the Installer to reset the password? I've had to do that with my sister's computer when she forgot it.

i tired this.. and something kinda weird happened

i inserted the disc and then restarted the computer and held c. (pretty sure that's right, if not let me know)

then when i did that i guess you're supposed to hold it until the spinning thing with the grey screen.

well, i waited and i got an offset apple a little scratch looking thing and a row of pixels... weird huh

[Chuckit]

By the by, I can tell you how to get into the computer — but I can't do anything about the rest of it, and it still sounds scammish.

[brassplayersrock²]

the fact alone that he sent you burned COPIES of the os means he can get a hefty fine and/or jail time due to piracy of the os. wonder how he likes them apples.....heh heh heh

[bstone]

you can boot into single user mode, become root and play there

[lilfordbmx]

Originally Posted by bstone

you can boot into single user mode, become root and play there

how how how?

all i need to do is get the password or change it..


i, quite frankly don't care about any of the piracy factors etc. i just want to be able to install my programs and have my own account.

thanks

[Chuckit]

Easy Get A User Instructions:
- Boot the computer holding command-S
- Type cd /private/var/db
- Type mount -uw /
- Type rm .AppleSetupDone
- Type reboot

[lilfordbmx]

Originally Posted by Chuckit

Easy Get A User Instructions:
- Boot the computer holding command-C
- Type cd /private/var/db
- Type mount -uw /
- Type rm .AppleSetupDone
- Type reboot

and this is all with the panther disc inside the computer right?

[Chuckit]

Nope.

[lilfordbmx]

i restarted and held command c..

it just went through normal startup

i'll try it again

[Amorya]

try command-v or command-s

[lilfordbmx]

Thanks SO much.. everything is good now.

[Chuckit]

Bear in mind, if you ever need to install, you'll have to buy Tiger.

[lilfordbmx]

Originally Posted by Chuckit

Bear in mind, if you ever need to install, you'll have to buy Tiger.

huh?

[Chuckit]

If you only have the 10.3 software restore discs, you won't be able to reinstall 10.4 without buying it.

[OreoCookie]

It's clear that he advertised the computer with OS X 10.4 and not just OS X 10.3. In fact neither the word Panther nor OS X 10.3 is mentioned anywhere. Get a substantial rebate, start with the price of a retail copy of OS X and haggle a bit.

[lilfordbmx]

i decided i want to just get the money back and get the computer i actually want (POWERMAC G5!)

[brassplayersrock²]

good luck lilfordbmx

[macintologist]

This is why I only deal in the MacNN marketplace. EBay is where all the scum of the earth reside.